{"id":81,"date":"2021-11-10T12:58:49","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T11:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=23011"},"modified":"2021-11-10T13:10:22","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T12:10:22","slug":"a-timeless-renovation-of-an-unusual-victorian-property","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/a-timeless-renovation-of-an-unusual-victorian-property\/","title":{"rendered":"A timeless renovation of an unusual Victorian property"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Molly Malsom\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 10 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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When Sophie Cameron and her husband Andrew became custodians of their elegant, four-storey home in the heart of\u00a0 <\/span>Chelsea, they were determined to remain true to the building\u2019s character and architecture. Even so, Sophie admits they found the prospect of putting their own stamp on the house \u2018rather daunting\u2019.<\/p>\n

Built around 1870, the enchanting end-of-terrace property began life as The City of Gloucester, a bustling pub frequented by Chelsea Pensioners from the nearby Royal Hospital.<\/p>\n

By the 1920s, an architect named Mr Tapper had acquired the building and converted it into his office and residential accommodation, making significant structural changes, such as creating the magnificent arches on the staircase.<\/p>\n

\""Renovated\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sophie\u2019s eye for design is evident in the sitting room, where her clever use of subtle colour, pattern and texture combine to create a calm and relaxing space. Lampshades are from Cameron & Miles.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Three decades later, in the mid-1950s, Andrew\u2019s parents bought the property. When Andrew\u2019s father retired, having raised three children here, the family moved to Wiltshire and, having installed a \u2018fairly indestructible\u2019 1970s Formica kitchen, they rented the house out for many years.<\/p>\n

Later, after Andrew met Sophie, the couple were lucky enough to start their married life here. \u2018The first time I stepped inside, I was amazed and slightly taken aback,\u2019 says Sophie, who has a background in art and design.<\/p>\n

\u2018Although I absolutely loved the feel of the property and its character, it was a diverse mixture of decor and soft furnishings that had been chosen by my parents-in-law during the 1950s, juxtaposed with the fairly anonymous possessions of the tenants.\u2019<\/p>\n

\""Renovated\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Muted shades on the walls in the dual-aspect dining room, such as Farrow & Ball\u2019s String, make the most of the city<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Andrew and Sophie were both determined not to alter Mr Tapper\u2019s layout, choosing to take their time over the renovations. \u2018We\u2019ve endeavoured to retain the spirit of the house,\u2019 says Sophie, \u2018but we\u2019ve made it less formal, gradually tweaking every space, apart from the ground-floor library, which remains virtually unchanged.\u2019<\/p>\n

Today, the library is as Dickensian as it was when the couple first moved in. \u2018At dusk, when the lights are on, it attracts a lot of attention,\u2019 says Sophie. \u2018When The Chelsea Society conducts tours, passers-by often peer in.\u2019<\/p>\n

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